Metal door reenforcement and lock mounting



June 11,1935.

METAL DOOR REENFORCEMENT AND LOCK MOUNTING I w. R. SCHLAGE 2,004,510

' Filed June 14, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheeh 1 l7 [2 n/ 1 l 27 7 29 If 80 D la h/ :f w

N f 52 INVENTOR.

Ju ne 11, 1935. 0 w. R. SCHLAGE METAL DOOR REENFORCEMENT AND LOCK MOUNTING Filed June 14, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 11, 1935. w. R. SCHLAGE METAL DOOR REENFORCEMENT AND LOCK MOUNTING Filed June 14, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June11,1035. W'RSCQLAGE 2,004,510

ME'TAL DOOR REENFORCEMENT AND LOCK MOUNTING Filed June 14, 1952 4 Shegts-Sheeb 4 1&013. Ln O Q 1) i I INVENTO ZDaZi'e o 78. sa pd Patented June 11, 1935 METAL DOOR REENFORCEMENT AND'LOCK MOUNTING' Walter R. Schlage, San Francisco, Calif., ,assignor to Schlage Lock 00., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California Application June 14, 1932, Serial No. 617,118 g 20 Claims.

This invention relates to a metal door reenforcement and lock mounting.

In many building structures, which are fireproof throughout, metal doors are employed. 5' Such doors are usually built up from sheet metal and include a metal panel and a surrounding hollow sheet metal stile. Doors of this character require door locks and these can only be inserted by punching, drilling, or otherwise providing openings for the insertion of the locks. Openings thus formed weaken the sheet metal stile of the door and the sheet metal is, furthermore, so thin that a rigid anchor or securing means for the look after it has been inserted is diificult to obtain.

- The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of structures of the character described; to provide a simple method of reenforc- 20 ing and strengthening that portion of the stile in which the lock is inserted; to provide means whereby the lock may be rigidly supported and secured with relation to the reenforcement and the stile; and further, to provide means whereby the lock can be removed from the inside of the door only.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a horizontal section of a metal door showing the lock mechanism inserted therein.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 11-11, said section showing the lock mechanism in full.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the reenforcing member inserted within the stile of the door.

'Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line IV--IV of Fig. 3. I

Fig. 5 is a plan section taken on line VV of Fig. 3.

Figs. 6 and 7 show two different forms of latch bolt units adapted for insertion in a door of this character.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a modified form of reenforcing member insertable in the door.

Fig. 9 is a section similar to Fig. 2, showing the insertion of the reenforcing member illustrated'in'Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the forward end of the reenforcing member shown in Figs. 8 and 9, showing the manner in which the latch bolt housing is engaged and secured by the reenforeing member.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the latch actuating unit.

5 Fig. 12 is asection similar to Fig. 1, showing the type of lock employed in conjunction with closet doors where an inner knob is not required.

Fig. 13 is an edge view of thedoor shown in Fig. 9. q

Fig. 14 15a vertical section taken on. line XIVXIV of Fig. 8, showing the typeof latch bolt shownin Fig. 7 applied. w Referring to thedrawings in detail, and particularly Figs. 1 t0"3,"-' inclusive, A-indicates the panel .of a metal door, and B the stile surrounding the same. The stile is, in most instances; constructed of sheet metal and as such presents ahollow interior or space C for the reception of the mechanism of a' door lock. The door lock illustrated in the. present: instance comprises a latch bolt actuatingunit D and a latchbolt unit E. Twoforms of thelatth bolt unit are illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, and oneform of the actuating unit is shown in Fig. 11. Openings, such as indicated at 2, '3 and 4; must be formed in the stile. to permit insertion of'the two units forming the door-lock. The openings 2 and 3 are formed by drillingor punching the inner and outer'faces 2a and'3a of the stile. The openings must-befairlylarge to permit endwise insertion of the latch. actuating unit D and, as the sheet metal forming the stile is a comparatively light gauge metal, and the openings are fairly large, the stile-is materially weakened at this point and difficulty is also encountered'in properly anchoring or securing the lock mechanism to thegstile of the door. One of the main features of the present invention is to provide a simple? method of reenforcing and strengthening the stile at the point where the .lock isinserted andiinproviding means for securing the lock after-in sertion. The, method or means employed for reenforcing the stile is best illustrated in Figs. 1 to3. The reenforcingxmember'comprises a rectangular-shaped frame generally indicated at G, see Fig. 3.. It. consists of an end section 5, a top section 6, a bottom section 6a, and a pairof end sections 1 and 8. The sections 5,. 6, 6a, 1 and 8 may be formed from a single piece of metal and bent to form the rectangular shape disclosed. The top and bottom sections 6 and 6a, ,are tied together by the end section '5 and also by the intermediate section 9, in which is formed a central opening Ill. The intermediate section is formed from another piece of-metal and is bent back upon itself to form top and bottom sections 6b and '60, which are welde'd,

riveted, or otherwise secured to the top and bottom sections 6 and 611 so as to form a rigid integral frame jstructure- Shoulders H and I2 are formed on the intermediate section which cooperates with the end section 5 to form a guide and support for the latch actuating unit D, as will hereinafter be described. The forward ends of the sections 612 and 6c terminate-in lugs, such as shown at l4, and these form a gauge or spacer between the edge of the stile and the reenforcing member, the space thus formed being provided for the reception of the end plates l5 and l5a formed on the respective latching units shown in Figs. 6 and 7. This feature will also be further described.

The several members forming. the frame have a width equal to the spacing between the inner and outer faces and 3a of the stile and as such form a reenforcement between the faces of the stile and, in addition thereto, a support for the lock mechanism and also an anchor means for said mechanism. The openings 2 and 3 formed inthe opposite faces of the stile are sufficiently large to permit the reenforcing unit to be inserted. After insertion, it'is welded or otherwise secured with relation to the inner facesof the stile. This is accomplished by providing one or more lugs, such as shown at I6.

- Theopening 4 formed in-theend face of the stile may be punched, drilled, or otherwise formed and it permits the insertion of the latch boltunit E. In actual operation the reenforc ing frame G is inserted and positioned as shown in Figs. l and 2. In this positionthe end plate 5 and the? shoulders H and I2 align with the openings2 and 3 so that when the latch actuating unit D isinserted the outer housing I! of saidunit will engage the shoulders and the end platei, asshown in Fig. 2. The shoulders, together with theend plate, thus guide the latch actuating unit while it is being inserted. They form. a support therefor after insertion and they secure the latch actuating unit against longitudinal movement within the reenforcing frame. The latch actuating unit must also be secured against endwise removal when inserted and" this is accomplished as follows:

Referring to Fig. 8, it will be noted that slots 2[I20'and 2l'2lare formed in the upper and lower sections 6 and 6a of .thereenforcing frame, andfurther, that a pair of spring arms 22 are employed. One end of each spring arm is riveted or otherwise secured, as indicated at 23, while the opposite end is folded to form lugs 20a and2la, thelugs 20a projecting through the slots 20 and the lugs 2mthrough the slots 2L. By'referring toFigs. Band 11, it will be noted thati-the housi'ng' H enclosing the latch actuating unit is provided with slots 24 and, when the'latch unit is ins'erted,.these slots will align with the lugs 20a thus permitting the lugs to enter the slots 24,-as clearly shown in Fig. 9, andthereby locklor secure the latch actuating unit :against' endwise removal. The lugs indicated at 2la, merely function asreleasing members, for instance, if it is necessary at any time to remove the lock mechanism, a screw driver or the like may be inserted between the reenforcing" frame and the 1 housing 11. The lugs. 2la'm'ay thus be engaged by means of the screwdriver and depressed, and when they are depressed, lugs 20a are moved out of the slots 24' and the latch. actuating unit can thus be removed. w The latch bolt unit is secured in a similar manner., For; instancaby referring to Fig. 6,.

it will be noted that a slot 25 is formed adjacent the inner end of the latch bolt housing. By referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, it will be noted that the intermediate section 9 of the reenforcing frame carries a latching lever 26. This lever is pivoted, as at 21, and its intermediate section carries a lug. 28. The lever. is actuated by a spring 29 which normally maintainsthe, latching lever in the pos'ition shown in Figs. 3 and 4, this position being limited by a slot 30 and a lug 3t adapted to enter the same. When the latch bolt unit is inserted-through the end opening din the door, lug 28 entersthe slot 25 and an interlock is thus made between the latch and the housing of the latch bolt unit which'prevents endwise removal thereof. This latch may also be released when it is desired to remove the unit by merely inserting a screw driver, or the like, and releasing the latching lever 26 against the spring tension; that is, a screw driver is brought into engagement with the lug 3| and by pushing thereon the lever is swung about its pivot 21, thus removing the lug 28 with-relation to thexslot 25. :In this position of the latch, thelatch boltunit'shown in.Fig.=-6:may be removed. Another method-of securing the latch' boltlunit' is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. It will benoted that the end plate members 1 and 8 are separated. 'They are provided with rounded recesses to receive and guide the cylindrical housing 'ofthe latch 'bolt'unit; that is; the rounded ends? of the end plates I and 8 receive. the: outer end'of the latch bolt unit' E and the intermediate plates receivestlie inner end. The latch bolt unit is thus supported at opposite ends within the reenforcing frame.

Lugs, such-as indicated at 32, maybe formed onthe latch bolt housing. .The latch bolt housing,.. during insertion, isturned so that the :lugs 32' will pass between the end plate sections-1 and 8but, after insertion, the latch bolt unit is rotated until the lugs 32 swing *behind the end plate sections 1 and '8, as "clearly shown in Figs. 9 and. 1'0.- Hence, anotherrmethod of securing the latch bolt unit. against endwise removal is shown. v

The methods of inserting, guiding, supporting and securing the respective units of the door lockhave now been described. -This, however, does not complete the installation of adoor lock of this character'as escutcheon'plates must also be appliedi By referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the outer escutcheon plate 40 is'secured to the hub" 4| of the latch actuating unit by means of a threaded connection '42. [This is desirable as it permits endwise adjustment of the escutcheon plate' withielation to the latch actuating unit D, such adjustment-being necessary to'permit the latch actuating'unitto be positioned centrally of the stile. ,That' is; stiles of different thickness are encountered, hence it is essential that the escutcheon plate 40 be adjustable to allow for such variations in thickness. -When the latch actuatingjunit has been inserted andproperly centered by means of the adjustable escutcheonlplatelll, the second or inner-escutcheon plate may be applied.- Itis secured by screws, such as shown at it, the-screws extending through openings in the escutcheon plate and engaging threaded lugs 52 carried by the latchqactuatmg .unit. These lugs function as nutsan'd thus secure the escutcheon plate against endwise removal. The screws, furthermore, function as 1clamps to rigid- -ly secure and clamp both the escutcheon plates and the lock mechanism in place.

The inner escutcheon plate is secured against rotational movement by means of the-screws 5| and means are also provided for securing the outer escutcheon plate against rotation when adjusted, the means employed in the present instance being a pin 60, see Fig. 11. Slots 60a are formed in the opposite sides of the. reenforcing frame, see Fig. 8. Pin 69 enters one or another of these slots, depending upon whether the installation is right or left hand, and as the pin extends into one of these slots the outer plate=40 will be secured againstrotational movement'and the lock can only be removed when the door is open and by first removing the inner escutcheon plate through release of thescrews 5!. Hence, if the door lock is key actuated, the door can only be opened by a person in possession of the proper key and the lock can not be removed, except by such aperson, as it is essential that the door be opened before access ishad to remove the inner escutcheon plate.

1 Two methods of securing the latch actuating unit, shown in Figs. 6 and 10, against endwise movement have been described. Another'meth od of securing the latch bolt unitagainst removal is illustrated in Figs. 7' and 14. In this instance, the end plate of the latch bolt unit is shown as rectangular in shape and provided with screw receiving openings 10. Screws H are inserted in' that instance andthese engage threaded openings 72 formed in the end plates 1 and 8, see Fig. 8, hence it is possible to secure not only the latch actuating unit .by means of the screws, such as shown at 5!, but it is also possible to secure the latch bolt unit by means of screws, as shown at H in Fig. 14. Theimportance of providing the lugs M at'the outer end of the reenforcing frame, see Figs. 2, 3 and 9, is as follows:

The end plate 80 of the latch actuating unit, see Figs. 6 and'7, should lie flush With the outer face 8| of the stile. The end plate 80 'of the latch bolt actuating unit is fairly heavy, that is, it is thicker than the sheet metal forming the stile of the door. Hence, if the face 3! of the stile and the face'8il of the end plate of the latch bolt unit are to remain flush, the inner face of the end. plates 80 must project beyond the inner face of the metal shown at 8!. It is. for this reason that the lugs M are provided. They determine the spacing and they maintain that space and of such a length that when the faces 80 and Bi are flush the inner face of the end plates 3E will engage the outer faces of the end plates T and 8 so as to be supported thereby. All parts of the lock mechanism are supported in this manner. Loose fits and play are thereby elimi nated so as to prevent rattle and similar noises and great rigidity and strength is obtained.

The description so far submitted relates to doors employing two knobs, an inner and an outer knob. Doors of this character require two escutcheon plates and opposed openings in the opposite faces of the stile for insertion and removal of the latch actuating unit. In Fig. 12 a door structure is shown which is particularly intended for closet doors and so on. In such installations, only one knob is required, hence it will be noted that only one opening is formed in the face of the stile, to-wit, that indicated at 2b, and one opening in the edge of the door, as

they are, furthermore,

indicated at 4b. The latch actuating unit D is inserted through the opening 21) and the latch bolt throughthe opening 4b. Means similar to those previously described are employed for 'se-- curing the respective units with relation to the reenforcing member of the door, and asonly one escutcheon plate is required; such as shown-at 5%, this may be secured by providing'a threaded connection between the same and the hub of the latch actuating unit. While certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically described, I wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims. Similarly, that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the manufacturer may decide, or varying conopening in the edge of the door, interlocking means formed between the latch bolt unit and the door structure, said means adapted to interlook by rotation of the latch bolt unit, and other means to secure the latch bolt unit against release by rotation bolt unit.

3. In a door structure of the character'described, a latch bolt unit insertable through an opening in the edge of the door, a reenforcing frame disposed interior of the door adapted to receive and support the latchv bolt unit, and means carried by the reenforcing frame for securing the latch bolt unit against endwise removal.

4. In a door structure of the character de-v scribed, a latch actuating unit insertable through an opening formed in one face of the door, a reenforcing frame disposed interior of the door adapted to guide and, support the latch actuating unit when inserted,.-andmeans carried by the reenforcing frame for securing the latch actuating unit against rotation and against end-v wise removal from the reenforcing, frame.

5. In a door lock structure, of the character described, a latch bolt unit insertable through an opening in the edge of the door, a latch 30-.

tuating unit insertable through an opening in one face of the door, a reenforcing frame disposed interior of the door and adapted to receive andsuppo-rt the latch bolt unit and the latch actuating unit, and means on said frame to secure the respective unitsagainst removal.

6. In a door lock structure of the character after insertion of the latch described, a latch bolt unit insertable through an opening in the edge of the door, a latch actuating unit insertable through an opening in one face of the door, a reenforcing frame disposed interior of the door and adapted to receive and support the latch bolt unit and the latch actuating unit, and means on said frame to secure the respective units against removal, said means being releasable.

7. In a doorstructure of the character de-- scribed, a latch bolt unit insertable through an,

opening in the edge of the door, a latch actuating unit disposed through an opening in one'face 8. Ina; door structureof the character described, a latch bolt unit insertable through an opening inthe edge of the door, a latch actuating unit disposed through an opening in one face ofthe door, a; reenforcing frame secured interior of the door, means carried by said frame tosecure the latch actuating unit; against rotation and endwise removal, and other means carried by said frame. for securing the latch bolt unit againstendwise removal. 1

9. In adoor having a hollow metal stile with openings formed therein for the insertion of a door lock, an elongated reenf orcing frame secured between the inner faces of the stile, means at one end of the reenforcing frame forming a guide and support for the latch actuating unit of the door lock, means at the opposite end of the reenforcing frame forming a guide and supportforthe latch bolt unit of the door lock, and means for securing the respective units with relation to the reenforcing frame.

10. In a door having a hollow metalstile, a reenforcing frame disposed transversely between the inner faces of the stile and supporting the inner faces thereof, said frame being elongated and having a supportingplate intermediate its ends to receive and support the inner end of a latch bolt unit.

11. Ina door having a reenforcing frame disposed transversely between theinner faces of the stile and supporting the inner faces thereof, a

latch bolt unit insertable through an opening in theedge of the doorand adapted to bereceived and supported by the reenforcing member, and spring actuated meansrforming an interlock be tween the latch bolt unit and the reenforcing member. Y 1

- 12. .In a door having'a reenforcing frame disposed transversely between the inner faces of the stile'an'd supporting the inner faces thereof, a latch bolt actuating unit insertable through an opening formed in. one face of the door and adapted to be received and supported by the reenforcing frame, and spring actuating means forming an interlock between the'latch bolt actuating unit and thereenforcing frame. 3

13. In a door havinga hollow metal stile, a door lock insertable through an opening formed in'the stile, and means withinthe stileadapted interlock with the 2,oo4;s1 o

- to automatically interlock with the door lock during insertionof thesame to secure the door lock against removal.

v14.'In a door having a hollow metal stile, a latch bolt unit insertable-throughan opening formed in the edge of the stile, and means within thestile adapted :to automatically interlock with theilatchbolt .unit during insertion ,of the same to secure said unit against endwise removal. I I

15. In a door having a hollow metal stile, .a latch .bolt actuating unit insertable, through an opening formedin the face of the'stile, and means within'the stile. adapted'to automatically latch bolt actuating'unit during insertionof the same to secure the latch bolt actuating unit against endwise removal.

hollow metal stile, a

16. In a door having a reenforcing frame securedwithin the stile; a door lock mechanism insertable through an opening formed in the stile adapted to be rei ceived and supported by the reenforcing member, and means carried by the reenforcing member adapted to automatically interlock with the door lock and secure the door lock against removal. 1'7. In a door having a hollow. metal stile,na

lock casing insertable through an opening formed in the stile, and projectable and releasable means carried by the stile whereby aninterlock is formed between the stile and the lock casing when the lock casing is inserted. 7 18; In a door having a hollow metal. tile, a lock casing insertable through an opening formed in the stile, and resilient and releasable .means carried by the stile whereby an interlock is formed between the stile and the lock casing when the lock casing is inserted.

19. In a door having a hollow metal stile a door lock insertable through an opening formed in the stile, and interlocking means carried by the door stile and adapted to engage the lock, said interlocking means permitting endwise insertion'of the lock and preventing endwiseremoval of the lock when inserted.

20. In a door having a hollow metal stile a door lock insertable through an opening formed in the stile, and a lock securing device within the stile comprising means whereby a connection is formed between the lock'and the stile upon insertion of the lock, said connection retaining the lock against removal from the stile.

WALTER R. SCHLA'GE. 

